Kenneth Wickersham died June 22 at age 83. Courtesy photo.

Kenneth Alvin Wickersham of Homewood, Calif., died peacefully in his sleep on June 22, 2008. He was 83 years old.

He was born son of William and Margie Wickersham on August 18, 1924 in Springfield, Mo. He grew up in Hastings, Neb. from early childhood through young adulthood. He attended Platte Valley Academy in Shelton, Neb. for four years, where he met his sweetheart and future wife.

He proudly served his country in the military for three years at the end of World War II. Upon returning home from Europe in 1946, he married his sweetheart and they started a family.

In 1951 they moved to Houston, Texas where he took up auto body repair and then plumbing as trades to support his family. In 1958 he moved his family to California and returned to college where he and his wife, as young parents, completed their college education and began their professional careers.

He completed his master's degree at Pacific Union College in Angwin, Calif., and remained an educator for the remainder of his career, for his beloved church, the Seventh-Day Adventists.

Upon retiring he designed and built his own dream home, on the shores of Lake Tahoe, where he actively lived out the remainder of his life.

He was predeceased by his father, his mother and his brother.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Natalie; his daughter, Jeanette of Clear Lake; and his son, Ron of Napa.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, for he was a gentle spirit and a giving person who never hesitated to lend a helping hand to family, friends and neighbors. He now rests in the loving arms of our Savior and Beloved Master, Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Memorial services were held at the Heavenly Valley Seventh-Day Adventist Church in South Lake Tahoe, Calif., on Wednesday, June 25, 2008. Interment and a military graveside service were held at the Lower Lake Cemetery in Lower Lake, Calif. on Friday, June 27, 2008.

Arrangements in care of Truckee-Tahoe Mortuary and Crematory.

Published Friday, July 4, 2008.

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